John Lennon was granted permission to apply for permanent residency in the United States on 2 May 1972.
The previous day, his US deportation proceedings had been halted. Early on this morning, Lennon’s lawyer Leon Wildes spoke to Sol Marks, the New York District Director, at the United States Courthouse in Manhattan. Marks told Wildes that he would approve third preference petitions which conferred the status of people with exceptional ability on Lennon and Yoko Ono.
A 10-minute hearing followed, chaired by Judge Morris Lasker. The US Attorney’s representative told the court that the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) was prepared to accept the petition for third preference.
What this means is that Lennon can apply for permanent residency in a position of preference behind those applying who have strong family ties here. This doesn’t mean that he will be granted residency.Mr. Lennon, as you know, has been convicted of possessing marijuana abroad, and this conviction disqualifies him for residency under the statutes.
The Washington Post, 3 May 1972